you probably, but if Janey doesnt know how to parse a blast output I think that sort columns by command line would be more complicated issue. By the way, I´m an enthusiastic reader of biostars because it has been helpful for my bioinformatic problems, but, do you really consider necessary waste time for write answers like that? Do you really consider it helpful? Which is your suggestion for Janey? Blasphemy is criticizing without demonstrating any ability.

Parsing blast outputs is a more complicated task than sorting columns to me.

I do agree that any approach that helps to resolve the issue is a good answer, thus to some extent I can follow your reasoning. On the other hand we're here to help (and to teach!) others , so in that context I feel it's common sense you at least provide (the better) alternatives in your answers.